Green Catalysts in the Synthesis of Biopolymers and Biomaterials

The modernization processes of the chemical industry over the last few years reinforce concerns about the sustainable use of natural resources and the synthesis of solvent-free and low toxicity products. Additionally, the development of new catalysts capable of minimizing or even eliminating hazardous substances commonly used in the chemical industry has received increasing attention in the academic and industrial environments within the context of Green Chemistry, based on the search for products and processes capable of reducing or even eliminating the use of hazardous substances. This need becomes even greater when it comes to the synthesis and modification of biopolymers with great applicability in the biomedical field such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(glycolic acid) (PGA), poly(caprolactone) (PCL) in addition to acrylate-based polymers. The present review aims to discuss the major classes of green catalysts and biocatalysts, their main characteristics, and different synthetic routes. To emphasize the importance of green catalysts in the biomedical industry, different synthetic routes are discussed to obtain biopolymers and biomaterials whose different degradation products have low or no environmental impact, and whose yield rate, degradability, and selectivity are controlled by presence of a catalyst.